NEWS BRIEFS: Tacy Taxes, Bikepath Bridge and DA Endorsements

 

Capital Improvements Money and Gene Tacy’s Tax Bill

 NORTHAMPTON – The City Council voted unanimously Thursday to spend almost $2 million in capital improvement projects to be funded by a variety of methods, including borrowing, enterprise funds, cash or other mechanisms.

The spending, which needs a second reading to be adopted, would fund the purchase of new heavy trucks for the Department of Public Works, two new police administrative vehicles, life-saving equipment for the fire department, the installation of new security and fire alarms systems for city buildings, and a shift of the city’s computer system to a new operating system, to name but a few.

The council also unanimously OK’ed taking ownership of a small parcel in Leeds owned by City Councilor Eugene Tacy and some of his relatives. The property, on which city officials said $38,000 in delinquent property taxes is owed dating back to 1992, will be used for conservation and for access to the Norwottuck Rail Trail. The vote, which also requires a second reading, saves the city the trouble of taking Tacy and his family to state Land Court, and erases one of the councilor’s tax liabilities.

During debate on the Tacy matter Thursday, Council President David Narkewicz said he wanted a list of other properties on which Tacy owes delinquent property taxes. Narkewicz also wanted to ensure Tacy was not getting a sweetheart deal because of his status as a councilor. The next morning, according to the Daily Hampshire Gazette, Tacy (who had left the council chambers during Thursday’s debate on his tax-riddled parcel) went into City Hall and paid $700 in back taxes on another property.

Bikepath Bridge Installation Will Halt Route 10 Traffic

NORTHAMPTON  – A large metal pedestrian bridge over Route 10 linking bikepaths here and in Easthampton will be installed early on Sunday, Sept. 19, according to a press release from the city’s Office of Planning and Development. (To see a drawing of the bridge, click here.)

The bridge, which is being built in Minnesota, will be placed over Easthampton Road (Route 10) using large cranes, and the process will halt all through-traffic between about 6 a.m. and noon on the 19th, according to Planning Director Wayne Feiden. Feiden said the bridge will arrive in three sections and be assembled on the ground here before being lifted into place.

“This is a critical link in connecting Northampton and Easthampton by rail trail,” said Feiden. The bridge will connect Easthampton’s rail trail to Northampton’s extensive system of bicycle paths that already fan out through the city and link to Williamsburg and via the Norwottuck Rail Trail to Hadley over the Connecticut River.

DA Endorsements Continue To Pour In

NORTHAMPTON – Both Democratic candidates for Northwestern District Attorney have been broadcasting endorsements in the waning days of their campaigns, which end when the polls close Sept. 14 in the Democratic Party Primary. Since there are no Republicans on the Nov. 2 general election ballot, the primary winner will assume the job in January.

Last week, the National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) endorsed Sullivan for the job. The announcement came from David J. Holway, national president of the Service Employees International Union-NAGE. “Sullivan has the judgment, legal experience, management skills and, above all, the passion for justice to be an outstanding District Attorney. I am proud to endorse him,” Holway said in a statement released by Sullivan’s campaign.

NAGE members include public workers (federal, state, county, and municipal employees), police officers, firefighters, correctional officers, healthcare workers (nurses, paramedics and emergency technicians), office workers, professional workers and allied workers and includes, among other groups, the International Brotherhood of Police Officers.

Cahillane, meanwhile, has received numerous endorsements from local police officer unions, including those in Easthampton, Northampton and Amherst.

Add to that a letter from the State Police Association of Massachusetts (SPAM). In its recent announcement, the group said it “recognizes that Mike Cahillane’s extensive experience as a prosecutor is an essential qualification in this race. Mike has prosecuted major cases for 10 years. He has worked closely with our State Police Detective Unit and the SPAM members assigned to it. I have been contacted by many SPAM members residing in Hampshire and Franklin Counties,” said a spokesman, ”and they have resoundingly supported Mike Cahillane for the office of District Attorney.”

Both campaigns also cited support from high-profile educators last week.

Sullivan announced an endorsement from retired longtime Northampton school teacher and Leeds Elementary School principal Kathleen “Kay” Sheehan. In her short statement, Sheehan – who has already supported the candidate in radio ads – described him as “an excellent candidate.” Sheehan has been a force in the community for decades as an active supporter of the Cooley Dickinson Hospital, the United Way and countless other civic and charitable groups.

On his Facebook page, Cahillane quotes an endorsement from Michael B. Flynn, a teacher at the William Norris Elementary School in Southampton and the 2008 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year. Flynn’s statement says he is “proud to support Mike Cahillane for DA. His work in our schools as an experienced cybercrime prosecutor as well as teaching students how to stay safe in today’s wired world is what we need in our next DA.”  Flynn’s own Facebook home page also mentions his support for Cahillane.